KUCHING: Elvis Priestly Clement secured Sarawak’s first gold in diving by scoring a total of 415.15 points, outpacing his rival Yong Rui Ji from Kuala Lumpur in the 3M springboard event held at the Pandelela Aquatic Centre here.
Rui Ji earned the silver medal with a total of 388.80 points, while fellow Kuala Lumpur diver Nurgayum Nazmi Mohamad Nazrin claimed the bronze.
Sarawak’s other diver, Awang Sharzan Nazrin, started strong with a score of 63.00 points but fell out of contention after a disappointing second dive, scoring only 38.75 points.
Elvis opened with a solid first dive, scoring 67.50 points. His closest rival, Rui Ji, responded with 70.50 points in the second dive, while Elvis earned 69.75 points.
However, Elvis sealed his victory with a commanding final dive, scoring 82.50 points for a total of 415.15, clinching the gold medal.
Elvis, 18, who trains with the national back-up squad, expressed his happiness at winning the 3M springboard event, even though his favourite event is the 10M platform.
He mentioned facing stiff competition from the two Kuala Lumpur divers as well as his fellow Sarawak diver, as they have been training together in Kuala Lumpur.
“My dream is to one day compete in the Olympics,” said the Sarikei-born diver, who will next compete in the 3M synchronised event and the 10M platform, where he will face compatriot Enrique MacCartney Harold.
